ETIMOLOGY AND HISTORY

The area of Valle Caudina is historically remembered as the site of the Roman-Samnite war and the famous defeat. From there, the development of the settlement took place, with an altar dedicated to the god Mars, (Ara Martis) turned into Christian times into the church of San Martino. The village is perched at the foot of Mount Pizzone and historical records attest the development of the settlement in the Lombard period, around a first stronghold that, over time, has become a noble mansion. In medieval times it is linked to the cult of saints and Palerio and Equizio. Around the thirteenth century the story of the village was linked to the family of Leonessa (the de la Lagoniere, arrived to Italy with Charles of Anjou, whose name first became "the Lagonessa").

A family whose generation continued until the end of the eighteenth century, with Giuseppe Maria, Prince of Sepino and Duke of San Martino. The village still presents its historic architecture, fine adorned with significant decorative elements. Nature and the healthy environment are a valuable part of the Partenio Park. The old town centre is adorned by the seventeenth-century Palazzo Ducale of the families Pignatelli della Leonessa, the eighteenth-century Collegiate Church of St. John the Baptist and the Medieval fountain with the obelisk.